Configurable radiofrequency receive coil system for a magnetic resonance imaging system

Abstract

Described herein is a radiofrequency receive coil system for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system that includes an array of a plurality of individual coils arrayed around the outer limits of the imaging volume that is defined by a main magnet and a gradient coil, positioned tangentially down the length of said volume, with the plurality of individual coils each having an initial position with relation to the patient to be imaged; and mechanical support for the individual coils. The individual coils may be dynamically repositioned for optimal imaging. A further embodiment of the system includes an array of individual coils positioned radially on the vertical plane around the patient table, which may advance into the gantry before imaging. The method for use of the receive coil system is also described.

1. A radiofrequency receive coil system for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the coil system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of individual coils arrayed around outer limits of an imaging volume that is defined by a main magnet and a gradient coil, each individual coil of said plurality of individual coils having an initial position and a subsequent position in relation to a patient to be imaged; 
 (b) a means for mechanically supporting said individual coils within said volume; 
 (c) a means for calculating said subsequent position of said individual coils for clinical imaging; 
 (d) a means for repositioning said individual coils from said initial position to said subsequent position; 
 (e) a means for overriding said means for calculating said subsequent position and said means for repositioning said individual coils; and 
 (f) a means for removing each individual coil of said plurality of individual coils from within said volume upon activation of said overriding means so as to allow the use of an individual radiofrequency receiver coil. 
 
   
   
     2. The coil system of  claim 1  wherein
 said means for repositioning said individual coils is an actuator. 
 
   
   
     3. The coil system of  claim 1  wherein
 said means for calculating said subsequent position of said individual coils for clinical imaging is configured to analyze an image with a large field of view. 
 
   
   
     4. The coil system of  claim 1  which further comprises:
 contact sensors configured to sense physical contact between said individual coils and said patient, wherein the means for repositioning said individual coils is configured to increase the distance between said individual coils and said patient when physical contact is made between said individual coils and said patient. 
 
   
   
     5. A radiofrequency receive coil system for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the coil system comprising:
 (a) at least one individual coil arrayed on a vertical plane around a patient table, the at least one individual coil having an initial position and a subsequent position in relation to said patient table; 
 (b) a means of supporting the at least one individual coil around said patient table; 
 (c) a means for advancing the at least one individual coil into a volume defined by a magnet and a gradient coil; 
 (d) a means for advancing said patient table into the volume defined by the magnet and gradient coil; 
 (e) a means for calculating a subsequent position of said at least one individual coil with relation to said patient for clinical imaging; and 
 (f) a means for repositioning the at least one individual coil from said initial position to said subsequent position wherein the coil system is configure to overwrite said means for calculating said subsequent position and said means for repositioning said at least one individual coil; and further configured to remove at least one individual coil from a plurality of individual coils within said volume upon activation of said overwriting means so as to allow the use of at least one individual radio frequency receiver coil. 
 
   
   
     6. The coil system of  claim 5  wherein
 the at least one individual coil advances into the volume defined by the magnet and the gradient coil simultaneously with said patient table. 
 
   
   
     7. The coil system of  claim 5  wherein
 the at least one individual coil advances into the volume defined by the magnet and the gradient coil non-simultaneously with said patient table. 
 
   
   
     8. The coil system of  claim 5  which further comprises:
 a means for overriding the means for advancing the at least one individual coil into said volume so as to allow the use of an individual radiofrequency receiver coil. 
 
   
   
     9. The coil system of  claim 5  wherein
 said means for repositioning the at least one individual coil is an actuator. 
 
   
   
     10. The coil system of  claim 5 
 which further comprises: 
 a means of calculating said subsequent position of the at least one individual coil in relation to said patient table. 
 
   
   
     11. The coil system of  claim 5  which further comprises:
 contact sensors configured to sense physical contact between said individual coils and said patient, wherein the means for repositioning said individual coils is configured to increase the distance between said individual coils and said patient when physical contact is made between said individual coils and said patient. 
 
   
   
     12. A method for imaging a patient in a magnetic resonance imaging system which comprises:
 (a) positioning a patient on a patient table; 
 (b) advancing said patient table such that a desired anatomy of interest of said patient is centered at an isocenter of a magnet of said magnetic resonance imaging system, the isocenter being within an imaging volume that is defined by a main magnet and a gradient coil; 
 (c) advancing at least one individual coil into said imaging volume, the at least one individual coil having an initial position and a subsequent position in relation to said patient table; 
 (d) calculating said subsequent position of the at least one individual coil for clinical imaging; 
 (e) repositioning the at least one individual coil from said initial position to said subsequent position; 
 (f) imaging the anatomy of interest of said patient to generate at least one image and (g) overwriting the step (d) of calculating the subsequent position and step (e) of repositioning the at least one individual coil; and (h) removing at least one individual coil of a plurality of individual coils from within said volume upon the execution of the step (g) of overwriting so as to allow the use of an at least one individual coil of a plurality of individual coils. 
 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12  wherein
 repositioning the at least one individual coil is accomplished using an actuator. 
 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 12  wherein
 calculating said subsequent position of the at least one individual coil for clinical imaging is accomplished through analysis of the at least one image with a large field of view. 
 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 12  wherein
 the at least one individual coil is originally positioned exterior to said imaging volume. 
 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 15  wherein
 said patient table is advanced simultaneously with the at least one individual coil into said imaging volume. 
 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 15  wherein
 said patient table is advanced non-simultaneously with the at least one individual coil into said imaging volume.